Tallawahs CEO calls for more support from Jamaican Government

8:52 pm, Wed January 9, 2019

Jamaica Tallawahs players celebrate the fall of a wicket during a match in the 2018 CPL. (Gleaner file photo)

Voice of Jamaica Tallawahs CEO Jeff Miller

Jamaica Tallawahs Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Miller is urging the Jamaican Government to provide more support before the start of the 2019 Caribbean Premier League season. Last season, the owners of the Tallawahs were critical of the lack of investment by the Jamaican Government in the franchise which forced them to play three of their home matches in Florida.

The CPL also revealed that the Jamaican economy was boosted by over U.S. $10 million for the two games hosted at Sabina Park. Speaking on Hitz 92 FM’s Sports Grill on Tuesday, Miller argued that the Government should offer more assistance.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know if the powers that be in Jamaica realize the impact of sports tourism and the magnitude when CPL started. It was 9.1 million people watching the games. Last year it recorded over 200 million people when it came to Jamaica and played the games. So Jamaica was all over the world,” said Miller.

Despite incurring losses of nearly U.S. $2 million last season, Miller has rubbished claims of the franchise leaving the island and revealed all home games will be held in Jamaica this season. “The owners of the Tallawahs want to stay in Jamaica; there’s no if or but about that. We have agreed to play all five games in Jamaica but we are asking for some kind of partnership to make this the best situation for the Tallawahs and the owners of the Tallawahs,” noted Miller. The 2019 season of the CPL is expected to bowl off this summer.